Factors facilitating the emergence of domestic violence in Turkey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence is seen in all communities. OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors that facilitate emergence of domestic violence. METHODS: A qualitative study where in-depth interviews were used. A total of 30 women who stated they had been experiencing violence from their partner for at least a year made up the study sample. The common opinions in the interviews were grouped and coded according to the themes created for descriptive analysis. Excerpts from the statements that best emphasized/defined the women's opinions and experiences were used in the study report. RESULTS: The factors stated by the women as facilitating the emergence of domestic violence in our study were: the man being older, the woman being in a marriage that she did not want, was forced into, or that her family did not want, a lack of support by the woman's family, the man's family not wanting the woman, the man seeing violence as a societal right, and a lack of mutual love, respect, or trust in the marriage/relationship. CONCLUSIONS: To decrease the emergence of domestic violence in the Turkish family system where traditional female-male roles are present: the woman and man within the marriage/relationship should have similarsociodemographic attributes (age, education, employment), the decision for marriage/relationship should be with the woman's own free will, educational and awareness increasing programs to ensure societal changeshould be arranged, and the quality and quantity of social institutions should be brought to a level where the support systems for women can be strengthened. KEYWORDS: Domestic violence, qualitative research, Turkey